Who’d much rather have a simple, compact, no frills 4x4 pickup?

I’m curious how many of you on here are like me when it comes to Toyota trucks. I’ve always loved Toyotas because up until the last couple gens, they were always small, non-complicated, just bulletproof trucks that didn’t have a ton of fancy shit on them to break. I honestly think if Toyota still made a simple, no frills 4x4 like they used to in the 70s/80s/90s/00s, that it would easily outsell the new huge, tech’d out, fancy 4th gen by miles. If Toyota still had the option of a little truck with crank windows, manual door locks, cable throttle, analog controls, etc… that wasn’t a foot wider than it needed to be for its class, I think it would be the best selling vehicle they made in decades.

So what say you? Do you guys honestly prefer these huge, heavy, “mid size” trucks with all the hybrid turbo tech, suspension seats, 14” computer displays, etc… or would you rather have a brand new truck that was still made like the old school yotas that made this company so great in the first place? I was gonna make this a poll but couldn’t figure out how.

 

Oh this opinion again. Yes you have 45,000 brothers here who think like you.

you have to realize part of the motor tech is for fuel efficiency.

 

If you don’t like discussing Toyota trucks on a discussion forum about Toyota trucks, then you’re in the wrong place. Next time I promise to check with ol’ Hogleg to make sure he approves of my topic tho.

 

The basic transportation appliances you describe are gone and never coming back. Vehicles are far more advanced now. Safety, convenience, power, emissions are all WAY better. Companies don't build those vehicles anymore because very, very few people would buy them. I suggest you look at a work van if you want something more basic.

 

I think you misunderstood. I’d guess 40-50% of people here feel how you do. Have you read some of the other posts? The same sentiment is shared all over.

 

No people don't buy those vehicles anymore because of govt cafe regulations that force manufacturers to jam turbos, emissions garbage, and batteries in 4 cylinders to perform and meet regulations.
All of which you are paying big money to buy and maintain.
Most here would take a small block V8 all day every day. Simple as that.

 

I don’t think those would sell at all, I think you over estimate how much the average customer cares/knows about cars. They buy Toyotas because they hear they are reliable, the look good, and there is Toyota marketing everywhere. Forums tend to skew to car guys who know more about vehicles.

Around 2011 when the ford ecoboost came out only 35% of buyers bought it over the v8… nowadays? It’s about 70%

cars nowadays are better in every way and cheaper too when you factor in inflation. In 1999 a Tacoma with the xtra cab, v6, and 4x4 msrp was around 20k, adjusting for inflation that’s 37k.. so it’s around the same price minus all the safety features, tech and power gains.

Reliability concerns with new tech is also almost always overblown too

 

Used to think like that until I bought my 3G, then jumped back in my 1G, which the 1G is far from basic…still felt archaic, own some of the early Toyotas too, grew up in 70 and 80s domestics. While yes today’s vehicles are getting a bit much tech wise, can’t say I want to go back. And the guys who really want the basic stuff have the know how to build their own. Have a bunch of friends who do, yet toss in electronically injected LS V8s instead of carbs (what does that tell ya?) they still have modern vehicle as their daily, just easier that way. Have the knowledge to, but tired of working on stuff…these days just want to get in an go, thought I would hate all the nanny safety stuff, but I am aging, that old saying “work smarter rather than harder” comes to mind. I use the hell out of my gps for plunking around the back country, bigger screen sure would be nice. Those suspension seats sure are gimmicky, dunno might help with screwed up back too.


That said, they could tone down the styling, it is a bit much.

 

I would only if they priced it accordingly, however, if Toyota were to make those old school trucks brand new today, they will have to pay a huge penalty for CAFE reason, that's if even they are allowed even to produce such vehicle.

All that penalty, if passed onto consumer, will drive the price up, I don't know by how much, but let's just say for $60k right now, would you buy a fully loaded turbo 4th gen hybrid Tacoma, or you want a brand new Toyota Pickup like this below?

 

Geez. Stop with the old ways. They do not exist anymore. Think. The good ol days are gone. Seriously.

 

The good news for people that want old, no-frills, no-tech vehicles with crank windows and no cameras or FM radio is that....

....there's literally a million old, no-frills, no-tech vehicles with crank windows, no cameras, and no FM radio available on the used market and they're no more than half the cost of anything post-2009! It's crazy, right?!

 

I would have been happy if we just stayed in 2003 Toyota truckwise. Those trucks with a better frame would be the pinnacle for me.

 

Crank windows? Nope
Manual door locks? Nope
Cable throttle? HELL YEAH!
Analog controls? Yes

Honestly, they just need to sell the 70 series here like they do in Australia. Our EPA hates us and is destroying everything that made motoring fun and affordable.

 

Personally, I miss the size of my 1st gen. And, that's not nostalgia talking either.

I just can't get over my 3rd gen (and my previous 2nd gens) being called compact or mid-sized. I know compared to what's out there today they are, but, to me those things are giant (and, really, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen are pretty big too).

That said, I do like the tech on the newer trucks. It's more than I'll ever need (I have an off-road), but I still like it.

 

They are basically the size of the old fullsizes, which isn’t exactly a bad thing, those were a good size. No longer a small truck by any means though.

 

Sure do like the styling of the 70 Series. Just give me that with all the modern electronic gizmos. I’ll take a UTE and my wife a wagon.




Better yet give me one of those FJ Company resto mods. Not cheap or simple!

https://www.fj.co/

 

12 Years ago I bought this beast for $5,500 triple locked, little did I know the market and how simple it was compared to the 100 series a few years later. Only ABS no traction control or crawl controls. Just lock the diffs to crawl up a mountain.

 

Now you just need to swap on a 60 series body and toss in a LS.

https://www.icon4x4.com/reformer/pastprojects/5

 

An American V8 will never rest between those engine bay thighs. The straight 6 is plenty for this truck. Those with little put Chevy V8's in these.

 

Lol! Dunno, I have driven those inline six’s gasser Toyotas, painful! annnnd I like to drive slow, not mention they slurp down the petrol. At the very least it needs a Toyota diesel.

1000 mile range on Tim’s old 80.

https://expeditionportal.com/feature-vehicle-dirt-sunrises-1990-hdj80-land-cruiser-with-maltec-conversion/